THE BAKA AS "CHAMPIONS" OF WITCHCRAFT: REPRESENTATIONS IN THE AMBIVALENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE BAKA AND THE BAKWELE IN SOUTHEASTERN CAMEROON

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between the Baka hunter-gatherers and the Bakwele farmers in southeastern Cameroon, focusing on their narratives about witchcraft. It has been suggested that Baka witchcraft was borrowed from the Bantu farmers. However, the Bakwele people assume that Baka witchcraft is more powerful than their own. The focus of this study is on representations of witchcraft in both societies; kiti in the Bakwele and mokilakila in the Baka. They appear to be similar on a superficial level; however, major differences exist. From a Bakwele perspective, even jengi, the most important and powerful spirit among the Baka, and its associated members, are related to witchcraft. Associations with jengi and notions about witchcraft are a combination of historical, economic and political relationships between the Baka and the Bakwele under the "multiple-game situation." The complex interrelations of their self- and other-representations in this multiple-game situation are discussed.